Arteta makes definitive Arsenal transfer decision with European giants circling

22 January 2024 , 18:10

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Jakub Kiwior has been tipped to leave Arsenal (Image: Jesus Ruiz/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

Arsenal have not told defender Jakub Kiwior to find a new club before the January transfer window closes, his agent has confirmed.

Kiwior, 23, only signed for Arsenal last January from top-flight Italian side Spezia, setting the Gunners back £21million. But the Poland international has failed to gain a regular place in Mikel Arteta's starting line-up and scored an own goal in Arsenal's recent 2-0 defeat at home to Liverpool in the FA Cup third round.

Serie A giants AC Milan have recently been linked with a move, but Kiwior's agent Pawel Ziemonczyk expects the Anderlecht youth product to remain in north London beyond next Thursday's deadline.

"Kuba is an Arsenal player," Zimonczyk explained to Polish channel Kanal Sportowy. "There are no signals that they want to get rid of him, and I don't think anything will happen in the winter window."

Kiwior - a left-footed centre-back by trade - has been given more game time in recent weeks, most commonly featuring at left-back while team-mates Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu were out injured. Now with both players fit again, albeit Tomiyasu remains in Qatar representing Japan in the Asian Cup, and Arsenal only competing in two competitions for the rest of the season, it's unlikely that Kiwior will receive a decent amount of minutes to aid his development.

Mikel Arteta's dream Arsenal line up as last-gasp January transfers are secured

La Liga strugglers Sevilla were interested in signing Kiwior on loan last summer but it's claimed that Arteta blocked the deal. After Kiwior scored his first goal for Arsenal last May, Gunners boss Arteta said: "He is a player that I really like, that's why I signed him. He has the potential, at his age, to be great."

Your turn! Should Arsenal sell Jakub Kiwior before the transfer window closes? Join the debate in the comments section.

AC Milan are interested in Kiwior (Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Following Saturday's 5-0 win against Crystal Palace, Arteta suggested that Arsenal aren't expecting a busy end to the window, despite fans demanding big-money signings. "We love the players we have," the Spaniard notably declared.

That was in answering a question on whether the Gunners have the ability to challenge Manchester City and Liverpool in the Premier League title race. "We will try our best," Arteta, whose team finished second last season, vowed. "We need to make sure our players feel trusted and have the confidence. If they are doubting that is not helpful."

Nathan Ridley